Episode 8: Persistence in Python

Persistence is defined as the ability to stick with something. In the educational world it is often used interchangeably with the phrases: Sticktoitiveness, grit or perseverance.

In this episode, we will discuss how to develop persistence in programming for all learners. Whether your students already have an innate ability to stick with coding or if you are hoping to instill the “desire” in your students, Sean and Kelly will examine ways that they develop persistence in programming in their classrooms.

Note: In this episode, Kelly mixed up Sylvia Duckworth, the creator of Sketchnotes, with Angela Duckworth, the author of Grit. We've linked both of their books below for you, since they're both great reads.

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Links:

• Why Learning to Code is So Damn Hard — Read more about the Cliff of Confusion that Kelly referenced in our episode.
• Teaching Kids to Debug Code Independently | EdSurge News — From EdSurge: approaches and best practices for teaching debugging and, by extension, persistence.
• Self-Reflection Tool Sheet — A worksheet of prompts for eliciting better self-reflection.
• Grit by Angela Duckworth — In her instant, multi-month New York Times bestseller, Angela Duckworth shows anyone striving to succeed that the secret to outstanding achievement is not talent, but a special blend of passion and persistence she calls “grit.” “Inspiration for non-geniuses everywhere” (People).
• Sketchnote for Educators — Sylvia Duckworth is a Canadian teacher whose sketchnotes have taken social media by storm. Her drawings provide clarity and provoke dialogue on many topics related to education. This book contains 100 of her most popular sketchnotes with links to the original downloads that can be used in class or shared with colleagues. Interspersed throughout the book are Sylvia's reflections on each drawing and what motivated her to create them, in addition to commentary from other educators who inspired the sketchnotes.
• How to Sketchnote — Educator and internationally known sketchnoter Sylvia Duckworth makes ideas memorable and shareable with her simple yet powerful drawings. In How to Sketchnote, she explains how you can use sketchnoting in the classroom and that you don’t have to be an artist to discover the benefits of doodling!